Spotting Wheat & Finding Safe Products

Navigating Korean ingredient lists to spot wheat can be tricky when you follow a strict gluten-free diet. Understanding how wheat is labeled—and looking for official certifications—helps you shop for Korean groceries with confidence.

1. The Safest Choice: Certified Gluten-Free (한국글루텐프리인증)

The absolute safest choice when shopping for Korean food products is looking for official gluten-free certification logos. In South Korea, the Korea Gluten-Free Association (KGFA / 한국글루텐프리협회) grants the official Korean Gluten-Free Certification (한국글루텐프리공인인증). What it guarantees: Products carrying this mark contain less than 20 ppm (parts per million) of gluten, adhering to standard international gluten-free criteria. Where to find it: Look for the dedicated KGFA stamp or international GF certification logos (like GFCO) on the front or back of the packaging.

2. Spotting Wheat (밀) on Ingredient Lists

If a product isn’t certified gluten-free, you must read the Korean ingredient label (원재료명). South Korean allergen labeling laws require major allergens to be listed clearly, usually highlighted in bold, italics, or set apart in an allergen alert box (알레르기 유발물질).

The Primary Word to Look For:
밀 (Mil) = Wheat